Make Your Mental Health a Priority

When something doesn’t feel right in your body, or if you are in pain, you call a doctor. You don’t hobble around on a broken ankle, right? And if you needed stitches, you’d certainly get them.

We believe that your emotional and mental health deserve the same time and attention. After all, your brain is a body part.

The fact is, everybody experiences mental health challenges at different times in their life, and for different reasons. And because your mental and physical wellbeing are interconnected, those emotional waves can create physical symptoms—especially if you keep them bottled up inside of you.

When you’re stressed or panicked, your brain is what initiates the fight-or-flight response that you feel in the rest of your body. A mental health therapist can teach you the skills you need to cope.

Some people struggle with overwhelming feelings of grief, loneliness, or self-doubt. Therapy is a safe space where you can work through those feelings.

You may be experiencing PTSD, OCD, ADHD, disordered eating, or another challenging mental health condition that adds a difficult layer to your life. Perhaps you’re in a depressive state and it’s making it hard for you to find the energy to exercise. Maybe anxiety negatively impacts your sleep quality (or it could be that sleep deprivation heightens your anxiety).

The point is—nobody is immune to mental health concerns. So, we’re officially giving you permission to prioritize your own health. If it feels hard to do so, start small. The important thing is just to begin.

Here are some ideas that might help:

• Talk about your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Or journal instead.
• Each morning, breathe in some fresh air and allow yourself to feel present.
• Remind yourself that big emotions are like waves—they ebb and flow.
• Take off your shoes, put your feet on the earth, and get grounded.
• Devote a few minutes each day to yourself and use that time to develop or nurture gratitude and peace of mind.